People who are looking for the utmost safety tend to equip their houses with an ultimate security system. These systems are stuffed with myriad basic and exclusive features; however, the outdoor security camera, especially a qualitative one, is hard to find. A team of Espysecurity carries out the mission to review the best solutions in the home security market. Today, we are pleased to share with you the best findings among outdoor cameras available.
Best for Night Vision
#1 ADT Outdoor
Total Score 9.2/10
Best for Basic Features
#2 Nest Hello
Total Score 9.1/10
Best for Environment Resistance
#3 Lorex Camera
Total Score 9.0/10
What We Did To Find The Best
When compiling the list of the best outdoor cameras, we managed to speak to the specialists and refer to customers’ feedback as well as their experience of using these devices.
Functional Features
0-10
Around-the-clock monitoring, fall/weather/disaster protection, etc
Usability
0-10
DIY or pro installation, easy to use cameras, etc
Affordability
0-10
Starting price, reimbursement of money, etc
Customers’ Support
0-10
24/7 support, the time-frame of answers, virtual help with installation, etc
Customers’ Score
0-10
Customers’ feedback from BBB.org, Trustpilot, etc
Below, you will find outdoor cameras that have been reviewed following the evaluation of their metrics, such as accessories/features that come along as a default, quality of support from the service team, prices, and trust ratings. Beyond that, we gave each camera the total score. Please note, our review is independent and free from any biased statements about one or another provider. You can trust it and base your final choice on the article. Enjoy reading!
Top 10 Best Outdoor Security Cameras In 2020
The market of outdoor security cameras is really immense, and it is quite hard to understand which one will fit your particular needs the best of all. All the cameras have their pros and cons, and we would like to cover them all to prevent you from making the wrong choice.
Features
9.5/10
Equipment
9.5/10
Price
8.5/10
Ease of Use
8.5/10
Trust Score
10.0/10
Starting Price
$175
BBB Rating A+
DIY instal
YES
Trial Period
YES
Comfort and smooth performance are the words to say about the ADT company. Their outdoor cameras can be accessed and controlled via an application from phones, tablets, and laptops. Whenever you are away from home, you can be cool and collected, knowing everything there is under control.
Pros:
Cons:
Their product provides monitoring in two dimensions. First, a user can access real-time monitoring via a mobile application. Secondly, there is a storage of multimedia that keeps safe all that happened and got caught by the camera.
The starting price is $160.
Features
9.0/10
Equipment
9.5/10
Price
9.0/10
Ease of Use
8.5/10
Trust Score
10.0/10
Starting Price
$201.99
BBB Rating A
DIY instal
YES
Trial Period
YES
Nest offers a standard doorbell camera with add-on integrations on pay. Similarly to ADT, Nest has a high-quality night vision and really clear images of day-time recording. As for Nest`s drawbacks, the camera requires a wired doorbell to provide bug-free monitoring.
Pros:
Cons:
A good thing about Google Nest products is that it is personalization-friendly. A mobile application can send alerts or pings whenever anyone is at the door. To use their cameras to the max, the company also provides an array of accessories including a cord and a transformer. They have an effective warranty for 2 years, and multilingual support for non-English customers. The over the top-notch service support is there for 12 months minimum. In case of any troubles, you can receive pro help.
The starting price is $199.
Features
10.0/10
Equipment
9.0/10
Price
8.5/10
Ease of Use
7.5/10
Trust Score
9.0/10
Starting Price
$107.50
BBB Rating A-
DIY instal
YES
Trial Period
YES
Lorex offers a package of 4 cameras that all are protected from unwanted environmental or weather conditions. For example, in the case of heavy rain or snow, the cameras will not take any damage, so users can sleep soundly knowing their cameras` performance is all stable.
Pros:
Cons:
Lorex has high video quality — 1080HD, and night vision. The cameras are all easy to set up with no need for third-party involvement. Yet, there is one considerable drawback: the official website does not reveal the terms of their warranty, so one should contact the provider directly to learn more.
The starting price is $118.
Features
10.0/10
Equipment
8.0/10
Price
9.5/10
Ease of Use
8.5/10
Trust Score
8.0/10
Starting Price
$88.99
BBB Rating A
DIY instal
YES
Trial Period
YES
Blink XT2 fits those who wish to get all the accessories in a basic pack. They have sensors, monitors, and two-way audio speakers, that are portable, easy to set up and come with a lithium battery, which is quite durable and provides the uppermost quality of the picture.
Pros:
Cons:
Infrared sensors from Blink XT2 help prevention of any falsely triggered alarms. The high resolution of video allows users to receive a stunning quality of videos and monitoring without missing a tiny detail. The prices are also surprisingly low, compared to other providers of outdoor cameras, so they are a great choice, considering features and equipment that come in one pack.
The starting price is $99.
Features
10.0/10
Equipment
9.0/10
Price
8.5/10
Ease of Use
8.0/10
Trust Score
8.5/10
Starting Price
$189
BBB Rating A
DIY instal
YES
Trial Period
YES
Ring Spotlight Camera can be set up without any wires or Wi-Fi extenders. So, it fits those who do not have smart wired doorbells and those whose cameras are always exposed to damage or unfavorable weather conditions. The company ensured the product will resist any potential threat. As for drawbacks, the Ring video doorbell camera is quite costly, while the pack does not come with other features or devices. And, it is hard to find many customers’ feedback on the company, which looks rather suspicious.
Pros:
Cons:
Ring is compatible with Alexa, or Fire TV, so users are able to see what is going on at home anytime and from any place on Earth. Their cameras are waterproof. Beyond that, two-way communication allows users to speak to the one knocking on their door, without opening it. Still, you should think twice about their prices, as there are many other affordable options.
The starting price is $199.
Features
10.0/10
Equipment
9.0/10
Price
8.5/10
Ease of Use
8.0/10
Trust Score
8.0/10
Starting Price
$97.99
BBB Rating A+
DIY instal
YES
Trial Period
YES
Reolink company designated its cameras literally for a wide view. Most importantly, the records are not stored only on the Cloud but can easily be transferred to the SD card to watch later. Users can use outdoor cameras electrically-powered, as well as set up solar batteries.
Pros:
Cons:
64 GB to store all recordings. Their SD sockets help to store more than standard cameras usually do. Beyond that, outdoor cameras provide high-quality images, videos, and audios. A user can check the situation at home through a mobile application.
The starting price is $94.98.7. Arlo Pro 2 — Best For Two-Way Communication
Features
8.0/10
Equipment
8.5/10
Price
9.5/10
Ease of Use
7.0/10
Trust Score
9.0/10
Starting Price
$155
BBB Rating B
DIY instal
YES
Trial Period
7 days
Arlo Pro 2 is wireless and comes with a mighty durable battery. Otherwise, clients can use it with electric power by plugging it in a socket. The latter option extends the time-frame of monitoring. The two-way communication option enables users to talk to the person standing at your doors, remotely. The speakers and microphone are of strikingly high quality.
Pros:
Cons:
Arlo Pro 2 works with Echo and Alexa, which allows operating via voice commands. The Cloud is capable to fit large volumes of images and recording. To check how everything works, customers can use a 7-days trial, only after paying for the plan.
The starting price is $149.
8. TP-Link Kasa Cam Outdoor KC200 — Best For Low Prices
Features
9.0/10
Equipment
7.5/10
Price
7.5/10
Ease of Use
10.0/10
Trust Score
8.0/10
Starting Price
$51.99
BBB Rating B+
DIY instal
YES
Trial Period
NO
TP-Link is a real nightmare for intruders of all sorts. When it catches suspicious movements, it produces a very loud siren extending heard from a very long distance. And, it all comes at a cheap price, which makes them a real competitor on the market of outdoor cameras.
Pros:
Cons:
Kasa cam is connected to a mobile phone, which allows users to get alerts and notifications whenever there is someone outside. To prevent false alarms, users are able to choose 4 custom zones in the home, mostly visited by them or their pets. After the verification of false events through the app, they can minimize the sirens reacting to regular movements.
The starting price is $44.99.
9. Logitech Circle 2 — Best for Daily Usage
Features
8.0/10
Equipment
7.5/10
Price
9.0/10
Ease of Use
9.5/10
Trust Score
8.0/10
Starting Price
$55.99
BBB Rating B-
DIY instal
YES
Trial Period
10 days
Logitech cam works with WiFi that increases the quality. Beyond that, the outdoor cameras switch to 1080p only when there is movement or noises outside. It helps to find the required footage without spending ages watching the whole recordings. It can be used as a home or office network camera for surveillance. The camera is compatible with a variety of Google/Amazon applications.
Pros:
Cons:
Their mic and speakers are of high-quality, which allows users to get the best experience. Furthermore, the system lets users access the recap of recordings of the most relevant events of the day.
The starting price is $179.99.
10. Zmodo — Best for Precise Footage
Features
7.0/10
Equipment
7.5/10
Price
8.5/10
Ease of Use
9.0/10
Trust Score
9.5/10
Starting Price
$175.99
BBB Rating B
DIY instal
YES
Trial Period
30 days
Zmodo camera is truly one of the best in terms of precise footage in the night time. 65 feet coverage and any field of view are already in the pack. The company provides a money-back guarantee and a 30-days trial to check out the performance of the system at work. If needed, any client can access tech support, regardless of their location.
Pros:
Cons:
The body of the camera is waterproof, able to resist dust/dirt as well as extreme temperatures. The outdoor camera is compatible with voice commands. The company provides a trial, which allows potential clients to understand whether they should go for a subscription to a premium plan or not.
The starting price is $179.
Comparing The Outdoor Cameras
Check out the comparison table of the best outdoor security camerasProduct | Pricing | DIY Installation | Trial Period | Night Vision | Warranty | Video Quality | BBB Rating | Field of View | Type of sensor | Monitors | Type of Battery | 2-way Audio | Access to the Cloud | Compatibility with Alexa | Fall/ weather/ disaster protection | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ADT | $175 | + | + | + | 1 year | 720HD | A+ | 95° angle | Motion | - | Wired | - | + | - | + | ||
Nest | $201.99 | + | + | + | 1 year | 720HD | A |
| Infrared | - | Not included | - | - | - | + | ||
Lorex | $107.50 | + | + | + | 2 year | 1080HD | A- | 60° horizontal | Infrared | DVR | AA | - | - | - | + | ||
Blink XT2 | $88.99 | + | + | + | 1 year | 1080HD | A | 110° diagonal | Infrared | - | Durable | + | + | + | + | ||
Ring | $189 | + | + | - | 1 year | 1080HD | A |
| Infrared | + |
| + | - | + | + | ||
Arlo Pro 2 | $155 | + | + | + | 1 year | 1080HD | A+ | 130° angle |
| - |
| + | + | + | + | ||
Reolink Argus 2 | $97.99 | + | + | + | 1 year | 1080HD | B | 130° angle | Infrared | - | Rechargeable | + | + | + | + | ||
TP-Link Kasa Cam | $51.99 | + | - | + | 2 year | 1080HD | B+ | 130° | PIR | - | Lithium | + | + | + | + | ||
Logitech Circle 2 | $55.99 | + | + | + | 2 year | 1080HD | B- | 180° angle | Infrared | - | Rechargeable | + | + | + | + | ||
Zmodo | $175.99 | + | + | + | 1 year | 1080HD | B | 180° | PIR | - | Rechargeable | - | + | + | + |
Features Of Outdoor Cameras
The majority of outdoor cameras boast similar features that now come as must-haves; however, there are companies seeking to add something exclusive. Let us cover what one outdoor camera should have to provide you with peace of mind whenever you are: at home or far away.
Night Vision
Outdoor cameras should be fitted with night vision. Today, the most convenient option in that respect are infrared(IR) LED lights. It helps to receive a crystal-clear image without any blurred dark corners to it. Some providers also make colored night vision recordings; however, they are very expensive.
Motion Detectors
If you are always away from your home or want to feel safer at night, motion detectors/sensors are for you. They will alert you about suspicious movements and safeguard you from any burglary or other intruders. If available, there are customed zones where you could mark movements as normal ones, to avoid false alerts.
Speakers/Mics
Two-way audio and communication are helpful when you have children or pets. You can swiftly receive an alert about their activities and speak to the kids remotely.
Streamlined Video
The best providers of outdoor cameras add streamlined videos as one option. Furthermore, there is cloud storage or an SD card to store everything recorded to watch it later. It helps to see recaps (for example, with Chromecast) of the relevant events that happened during the day.
Weather Protection
There are both waterproof and water-resistant cameras; however, there are also perks like anti-dust/dirt protection. If you live in an area exposed to environmental danger, you can check how the cameras perform during a trial. Make sure your provider has such an option.
Mobile App
Smartphones are literally the hands` extension for a modern person, so it is vital to have the opportunity to receive alerts and watch the streamlined video via a mobile phone. Beyond that, users can access voice commands.
Angle/Resolution
The wider the angle is, the wider the footage will be. If you have a big territory, you should have a wide-angle surveillance camera with a wide range of coverage.
SD Storage
When you plan to buy a camera with sufficient storage capacity, it means you will make your choice between the Cloud and SD card. SD card helps to keep the images for a long time, but the footage is not streamlined in live mode.
Cloud Storage
Cloud is useful if you plan to be able to see live videos. Unfortunately, by many providers, Cloud is considered a premium option, so you will have to commit to substantial payments.
DIY Or Easy Setup
DIY outdoor security cameras are the best choice for people with no background tech-knowledge. Usually, it takes split minutes to locate the camera and put it to work. Otherwise, some providers tend to make online tutorials. Anyway, in case of any difficulty, you can contact the tech support.
How To Choose An Outdoor Security Camera For Your Needs?
Choosing the best outdoor security camera is a hard thing to do, as there are many, and for any taste, paying capacity, and needs. Still, you should always seek advantage and choose the cameras that will not hurt your budget. At times, some cheap products maybe even better than expensive and well-promoted ones.
Check the steps of choosing an outdoor security camera for your needs.
Understand What You Exactly Need
Do you live with a big family that needs to be monitored all the time? Or, you own a big territory that requires a wide-angle view? Everything depends on what exactly you are looking for. Mind your budget, decide if you need a night vision function or odd additional accessories. If you do not know yet, contact the preferred provider, and ask them about any promotions that will cut the cost on the plan.
Go For Popular Providers
Brands and long-standing companies can assure you are protected with quality and good performance of the cameras. Yes, they are most of the time pricey but at least you know that the company will not go bankrupt tomorrow. Still, there are many brands, so you should refer to your budget again to buy a good-quality outdoor camera.
Think Of Vital Features
Surveillance cameras vary, and we introduced you to the most important features you should have provided for you. Yet, you can also find other exclusive specs, for example, those to fit big families or families with pets, features for monitoring the parking zone, office, or any other big territory. Then, understand what recording options you personally need, be it streamlined video or simple recaps which you can access, for example, with Google Chromecast app.
Remember About Extra Cost
Some providers sell products with hidden costs. It is a common practice and it is usually described in contracts, using a very small font size. For example, you may not be aware of tech service costs or additional equipment, that will be necessary to buy after months of usage. Learn the total cost by contacting the preferred provider.
Refer To Customers’ Feedback
Reading websites for reviews online is half of the way; another thing is referring to the real customers’ feedback. Look at what current users say about the outdoor camera you selected, and whether there are certain drawbacks in performance you would rather avoid. Be attentive, as some feedback may be fake aimed to spoil the reputation of the company. Trust BBB and TrustPilot opinions.
FAQs On Outdoor Cameras
What Is The Best Outdoor Security Camera Of 2020?
What Is The Outdoor Security Camera That Works Without Wi-Fi?
Which Cameras Are Better — Wireless Or Wired Ones?
What About Weather Protection In Outdoor Cameras?
Which Resolution To Choose?
Are Motion And Sound Sensors Necessary?
What About Storage Vf Video?
Ensure The Security Of Your Home
Now, you are armed with the best options to ensure your home security at a high level. Outdoor cameras will definitely come in handy if you have a big territory or your family consists of babies and pets who need daily supervision to prevent any injuries or other kinds of danger. Outdoor cameras may vary, so we reviewed affordable options, ones for low-paying capacities, with ultimate design, and night vision among others. Before deciding on one camera, please contact the preferred provider to learn the final cost of all the equipment they provide, as you may be easily hooked on unnecessary plans and expenses.
